Improvement in tap-soles for rubber boots and shoes



AUGUSTUS 0. BOURN 8L ISAAC F. WILLIAMS.-

lniprovement inA Tap Soles for Rubber Boots and Shoes;

" N.1-1,099, v Patented August 1s, 1an.-

AUGUSTUS O. BOURN, OF PROVIDENCE, AND ISAAC F. VILLIAMS, OF BRISTOL, RHODE ISLAND.

IMPROVEMENT lN'TAP-SOLES FOR RUBBER BOOTS AND SHOES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 118,099, dated August 15, 1871.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that we, AUGUSTUS O. BoURN, of the city and county of Providence, and ISAAC F. VILLIAMS, of Bristol, ofthe county of Bristol and State of Rhode Island, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Tap-Soles of Rubber Boots and Shoes, and we do hereby declare that the followingl speciication, taken in connection with the. drawing furnished and forming a part of the same, is a clear, true, and exact description thereof.

Our improvement consists in continuing a narrowed extension of the tap from the tread to the front line of the heel, to which it is permanently attached by the process of vulcanization.

Referring to the drawing, Figure 1 represents a rubber boot provided with our improved tapsole. Fig. 2 is a view ofthe sole.

A is the improved tap-sole. The narrowed extension B continues to the heel, its narrowest portion being' at the center' of the shank. From a point midway between the tread and the front line of the heel the narrowed and extended tap is gradually widened until a width is attained equal to the width of the heel, to the front of which it is firmly connected, in a well-known manner, by theprocess of vulcanization. The extended shank may be continued direct to the front edge of the heel without the widening referred to, and by such modification closely-approximate results will be attained, as in both cases a iirm connection is effected between the end of the extended tap and the front of the heel.

Heretofore two kinds of rubber taps have been applied to boots and shoes. One of these kinds terminated at the front portion of the shank in a line extending from one side of the sole to the other. An early objection. was found to this method, for the repeated bending of the sole and the strains incident to use occasioned a olea-ving of the rear edge from the main sole, resulting in a frequent total removal of the tap before the boot was worn out.

To obviate this objection the second kind of tap was devised. Its peculiarity consisted in having an extended narrowed portion of the tap beneath the sole, which terminated at about the center of the shank in a point, which, as far as practicable7 was merged into the surface of the main sole at the" shank. This latter method, in a measure, obviated the objections; but, inasmuch as a space was formed between the rear point of the sole and the front of the heel, the frequent act of cleansing a boot on a door-scraper was conducive to the freeing of the point, which, when once started, would speedily break away from the main sole. Our improvement prevents a door-scraper from coming in contact with any portion of the sole except the wearing-surface. The elasticity of the shank is increased without materially adding to its bulk or cost or detracting from its neatness. The shank is protected from injury when the wearer steps upon ragged ice, sharp stones, &c. A more perfect unity between the tread and heel is effected.

Compared with an entire double sole, our improved tap-sole possesses these advantages, viz: It requires less material; it does not destroy the shapely outline at the shank, while adding to the elasticity of the shank, it does not materially or injuriously stiffen it.

Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- The improved tap-sole for rubber boots and shoes herein described, provided with the extension B, narrower than the main sole at the shank and extending along the center of the shank from the tread to, and connected with, the front line ofthe heel, as and for the purposes specified.

AUGUSTUS O. BOURN.

IVitnesses: ISAAC F. VILLIAMS.

O. G. BARRows, Gno. T. EAsrnnBRooKs. 

